Convict fled while on leave for family funeral

By doing a “runner” while on compassionate leave to attend a family funeral, a Limerick remand prisoner had posed difficulties for others seeking similar treatment by the State, a judge said yesterday.

Anthony Earls, aged 23, of St Ita’s Street, St Mary’s Park, had been allowed out of Limerick prison earlier this month on the day of his aunt’s funeral. He had been released from 8am to 6pm.

However, after he did not return, a warrant was issued for his arrest and he was apprehended several days later, in what Sgt Donal Cronin told the court was a difficult arrest.